stridertexas
New Member
I know, I know. This topic has been beaten to death on all the forums. But I need help.
5 years ago I bought an S-Works Venge frameset for a killer deal & spec'd it out with DuraAce everything and Zipp 404's. I was coming from a Madone 5.2SL and riding about 75-125 miles a week.
The first year, I loved the Venge. It made riding fun again with it's responsiveness, but I did notice that I was more fatigued and beat up after each ride.
Fast forward a few more years, and I've found myself riding less and less due to young kids and a stressful job. Now, in my current condition and trying to build myself back up, at age (36), I feel like the Venge is beating me up.
I went to my LBS and they told me to get either a Trek Edmonda or a Roubaix. They had an S-Works Tarmac there that just looks super sweet. But I don't want to be blinded by my love and geekiness with bikes, and not get one that fits my riding style and abilities again.
So would moving to an S-Works Tarmac or Roubaix be a vastly noticeable difference in comfort? I realize one can play with tire sizes too now that can help.
I had a similar experience with choosing the wrong bike as I had an S-Works Epic MTB, and it beat me up badly, but I thought I wanted the "best" so I got the "best". After a year or two on that, I went with a 2016 Stumpjumper Expert, and have loved that transition more than anything. That bike is so much better for me. I know moving from a 26" to 650 wheel made a difference too.
I guess I'm just looking for real-life advice and experiences out there, if anyone was ever in my situation.
For the record, I'm currently riding about 10-12 miles, 2-3x a week now. I'm hopeful that throughout 2018, I get that up to 50-75 miles per week.
5 years ago I bought an S-Works Venge frameset for a killer deal & spec'd it out with DuraAce everything and Zipp 404's. I was coming from a Madone 5.2SL and riding about 75-125 miles a week.
The first year, I loved the Venge. It made riding fun again with it's responsiveness, but I did notice that I was more fatigued and beat up after each ride.
Fast forward a few more years, and I've found myself riding less and less due to young kids and a stressful job. Now, in my current condition and trying to build myself back up, at age (36), I feel like the Venge is beating me up.
I went to my LBS and they told me to get either a Trek Edmonda or a Roubaix. They had an S-Works Tarmac there that just looks super sweet. But I don't want to be blinded by my love and geekiness with bikes, and not get one that fits my riding style and abilities again.
So would moving to an S-Works Tarmac or Roubaix be a vastly noticeable difference in comfort? I realize one can play with tire sizes too now that can help.
I had a similar experience with choosing the wrong bike as I had an S-Works Epic MTB, and it beat me up badly, but I thought I wanted the "best" so I got the "best". After a year or two on that, I went with a 2016 Stumpjumper Expert, and have loved that transition more than anything. That bike is so much better for me. I know moving from a 26" to 650 wheel made a difference too.
I guess I'm just looking for real-life advice and experiences out there, if anyone was ever in my situation.
For the record, I'm currently riding about 10-12 miles, 2-3x a week now. I'm hopeful that throughout 2018, I get that up to 50-75 miles per week.